Purists might argue the case for Reg Allen or Phil Parkes but all things considered it has to be Spunky, if for no other reason than he never sported that ridiculous ponytail while playing for the hoops. Began his England career while at Loftus Road and coped admirably with the plastic pitch. 9

LB - Ian Gillard

The first member (there'll be a few) of the legendary 75/76 team in the list, Gillard made the left-back position his own between 1968 - 82 and was part of the cracking full-back partnership with Dave Clement. Solid, dependable and good in a skirmish. 7

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CB - Alan McDonald

The Northern Irishman played over 400 games for the hoops and was part of the 1993 side that finished fifth in the Premier League (and unfortunately also the one that got relegated in 1996). A stopper rather than a ball-playing defender, he also got 52 caps for his country. 7

CB - Paul Parker

Despite having the passing range of a toaster, Parker was a good centre-half for QPR and quickly became popular due to his all-action style and the way he used his pace to make up for being shorter than an English summer. 8

RB - Dave Clement

A tragic tale. Made 472 appearances for QPR and played for England five times in 1976/77 and was a corking right-back who loved to get forward. Aged 34 after suffering a broken leg playing for Wimbledon, he became depressed at what he thought was the end of his career and poisoned himself with weedkiller. His son, Neil Clement, played nearly 300 games for West Brom. 8

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RW - Dave Thomas

A classic winger full of pace and trickery, he should have received more than the 8 England caps that he got . Signed from Burnley for a then Second Division record of £165,000, he was one of the stats of the 75/76 side and when he was at Everton his assists helped Bob Latchford to 30 in a season. 9

CM - Gerry Francis

It's a good job Gerry was good at football because with a face like his he'd have to work underground. Another player who won all of his England caps while at QPR (12,in 8 he was captain) and gets the armband. 9

CM - Stan Bowles

Stan might be a seven or even an eight over the course of his career but for QPR he was a ten, and not just because he happily accepted Marsh's old Number 10 shirt on his arrival. Life chairman of the QPR Loyal Supporters Chairman and a maverick who told Jon Wilde that "I’d spliff up once in a while but that’s fuck all, innit? Everyone enjoys a spliff once in a while. Makes you nice and relaxed". 10

LW - Trevor Sinclair

Close run thing here between Sinton and Trev on the left but despite Sinton scoring more goals for the club, Sinclair scored that overhead kick and anyone who can give you goosebumps deserves to be in. 7

CF - Rodney Marsh

It's probably a good thing that him and Bowles never played in the same side but on a good day it would've been beautiful. Played all his best football in the hoops, scored 44 in 53 in his first season to help win the 'double' of Third Division and League Cup. Now tweets about his breakfast from Florida. 10

CF - Les Ferdinand

Notched over 20 goals in two separate seasons after being farmed out tpo Beskitas and Brentford and was the spearhead of Gerry Francis' entertainers. He might have been forced out of Newcastle by Shearer's ego but at QPR he is a legend. 9

Player - Manager - Gerry Francis

Made QPR a good Premier League side who played great football without an influx of millions. 9

Total: 102

Newcastle Greatest XI by Chris Donald

GK - Shay Given

Played for the Mackems on loan when he was at Blackburn in the mid-90s, but all that was forgiven when he signed for us. Saved innumerable games for us with his brilliant shot-stopping. Shay would have walked into the England team if he’d been English. Over 350 appearances in 12 years at the club. Arguably the most consistent keeper in the Premiership in his time at United. 8

RB – Bill McCracken

Irishman Bill McCracken’s famous offside trap was so good in 1925 they changed the rules. Captained his club and country, 377 league appearances for Newcastle, winning three league titles and getting us to three FA Cup finals. Tidy defender. Away fans hated him, Geordies loved him. That’s how it should be. 9

LB – Frank Hudspeth

You couldn’t pick McCracken without also picking his defensive partner Frank Hudspeth. A proper Geordie, his first club was Scotswood. He played more games for Newcastle than any other outfield player – 482 appearances in total between 1910 and 1929. Chipped in with 38 goals as well. 8

SWEEPER – Bobby Moncur

Defensive stalwart in the sixties and seventies, captained the 1969 Fairs Cup winning team (and knocked in a hat trick in the final just for good measure). Captained United and Scotland too. Spent his twilight years at Joker Park working on his pension fund, but nobody’s perfect. A talented all-rounder, Bobby plays golf and does a bit of sailing too. 8

CH – Jonathan Woodgate

I’m taking a chance here, cos he might well be injured. Only managed a handful of games for us, but I’ll tell you what. He never put a foot wrong when he did actually make it onto the pitch. I sat and watched him one game, all the way through, and he never even broke sweat. Positioning, awareness, reading of the game – brilliant. Just a shame he was such a crock. 7

CM – Joe Harvey (Captain)

Right-half in his time, I’d pick Joe to play a holding midfield role and to boss the entire game. A great leader both as captain of the fifties FA Cup winning teams and then as manager of the Fairs Cup winning side, he’d run the show. And he’d share his tabs with the other players at half-time. 9

CM – Paul Gascoigne

Mercurial, magic and absolutely mental. At his young, chubby best he was unbelievable. A daft Geordie lad who loved playing football and happened to be better at it than anyone else in the world. He’d need looking after on and off the pitch, but Joe Harvey and Alan Shearer can do that. 10

LM – David Ginola

“David who?” James Brown asked me when we signed him in 1995. “I dunno” I said. But we soon found out. A bit of a ponce if the truth be told, but what a player. His home debut against Middlesborough was simply unbelievable. Bit of a lazy twat as well – Bill McCracken won’t get much cover from him – but an affordable luxury with such a solid defence behind him. 6

RM – Alan Shearer

There’s no room for him up front, but I can’t omit Alan Shearer from the side. So I’ll play him in right midfield. One of the best crossers of a ball I’ve ever seen – witness Les Ferdinand’s goal in the 5-0 thrashing of man United – it was just a shame Shearer couldn’t get on the end of his own crosses. His heart is black and white, you could play him anywhere in the side. 10

CF – Jackie Milburn

I never saw him play but I saw his house - my Dad used to point it out every time we drove past it. 494 appearances and 239 goals between the war and 1957. Three FA Cup winners medals. I think Shearer pipped him in the end for his goals tally, but Wor Jackie remains the all-time legend so I’ll give him the number 9 shirt. 10

FW – Peter Beardsley

A girl who used to work for me grew up in the same street as Beardsley. “All he ever did when he was a kid was eat sweets and kick a ball against a wall, for hours on end”, she told me. And it shows. Terrible teeth but a magical touch, Absolute footballing genius, scorer of brilliant goals, and the perfect foil for a big striker. And the fourth born Geordie in my team. 9 (loses a point
for his physical appearance).

Manager – Kevin Keegan

Couldn’t choose him as a player because we didn’t see the best of him in his boots, but as a manager he lifted the club from dire straits to the very verge of the Premiership title, and he brought brilliant players and brilliant football to the Toon. Couldn’t organise a defence to save his life, but with the team I’ve chosen defence won’t be a problem, and neither will attacking. 9

Total: 102

Total 102 -102: A draw, which is probably a fair result and one that both teams will be desperate to avoid this evening.